Milling machine feed drive transmission



Dec. 25, 1951 R. K. LE BLOND ETAL 2,580,307

MILLING MACHINE FEED DRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed June 16, 1950 6Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS.

RICHARD K. LEBLOND AND HARRY C. KEMPER ATTORNEY.

Dec. 25, 1951 R. K. LE BLCJND ETAL 2,580,307

MILLING MACHINE FEED DRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed June 16, 1950 aSheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TORS.

RICHARD K. LEBLOND AND'HARR) 0. KEMPER 1mm 5%.m

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 25, 1951 Filed June 16, 1950 R. K. LE BLOND ETTAL 2,580,307

MILLING MACHINE FEED DRIVE TRANSMISSION 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TORSR/CHARD k. LEBLOND ANDHARR) (LKEMPER ATTORNEY.

D 1951 R. KQLE BLOND ETAL 2,530,307

Q MILLING MACHINE FEED DRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed June 16, 1950 6Sheets-Sheet 4 MINNINW INVENTORS. RICHARD K. LEBLOND AND HARRY C. KEMPERMILLING MACHINE FEED DRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed June 16, 1950 Q 6Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS.

RICHARD K. LEBLO/VD AND HARRY C. KEMPER 13mg; AM

ATTORNEY.

25,1951 R. K. LE BLSND ETAL 2,580,307

MJILLING MACHINE FEED DRIVE TRANSMISSION Filed June 16, 1950 6Sheets-Sheet 6 A T TORIVEX Patented Dec. 25, 1951 MILLING MACHINE FEEDDRIVE TRAN SMIS SION Richard K. Le Blond, Cincinnati, and Harry 0.Kemper, Goshen Township, Clermont County, Ohio, assignors to The R. K.Le Blond Machine Delaware Tool 00., CincinnatL- Ohio, a corporation ofApplication June 16, 1950, Serial No. 168,462

This invention pertains generally to transsaddle and table movements ofthe milling ma- 1 chine.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved changespeed gear transmission in which large increments of speed change areobtained with gears that are never entirely out of engagement with eachother and in which small increments are obtained in a greatly reducedspace in a straight increased progression and in better units foraccurate manufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved change speedtransmission for the feed drive mechanism of the knee, saddle and tableof the milling machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved single handlecontrol mechanism for selectively operating the feed drive transmissionof a milling machine.

And still another object of this invention is to provide specificimprovements in a change feed transmission for the feed drive of amilling machine knee, saddle and table which is economical tomanufacture and highly accurate and quiet in operation while at the sametime requiring a minimum of space.

It is also an object of this invention to provide certain improvementsin a sliding gear change feed transmission for a milling machine toimprove the performance of the machine and reduce the cost and timerequired in its manufacture. I g It is also an object of this inventionto provide a change speed sliding gear transmission for the feedmechanism of a milling machine which. has certain inherent stability andrigidness of construction not found in prior devices of this character.

Further features and advantages of this invention will appear from adetailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a right hand side elevation of a milling machine kneeincorporating the features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the milling machine knee shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a left handside elevational view of the knee shown in Figure1., s

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the knee of the line 4-4 of Figures1, 3, and 5.

Figure 5..is. a diagrammatic extended sectional view on the line 5-5ofFigure 4.

solaims. (01. 74-333) Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view. on the line 7-1 in Figures 2, 3 and 4.

For illustrative purposes this invention is shown applied to a typicaluniversal milling machine having a column I having guide ways H uponwhich is slidably mounted the knee 52 for vertical reciprocation. On topof the knee is carried'the saddle I3 on top of which is the usual swivelbase 14 which carries the work table i on suitable guide ways 16. Theknee, saddle and table are reciprocated in their respective movementsfrom power derived from the tool spindle transmission not shown, whichis connected in a well known manner to drive the feed input snaft 11,Figure 1, such for example as shown in Patent 2,338,121.

The shaft I1 is connected through a suitable universal joint 18 which inturn is connected to the input drive shaft 19 of the feed changetransmission, the shaft [9 being journaled on suitable bearings 20 inthe knee I2. I.

The feed drive power take oil from the shaft I9 is transmitted from thegear 2| fixed totne shaft l9 to the gear 22 fixed on the shaft 23journaled in suitable bearings 24 in the feed box housing 25, thishousing being formed with a flanged outer portion 26 which is secured tothe knee 12 by suitable bolts 27. Axially slidable on the spline portion28 of the shaft 23 are two double gears 29 and 30 which are securedtogether by suitable means such as welding or the like at 3|. The doublegear 29 comprises the small gear 32 and the larger gear 33 while thedouble gear '30 comprises the smaller gear 34 and the larger gear 35.The assembly of gears just described is free to shift axially of theshaft 23 on the spline portion 28 thereof so that the gear 34 engagesthe gear 36a of the double gear at fixed to the shaft 31 journaled onsuitable bearings 33 in the feed box housing 25. The gear is adapted toslide into an engagement with the gear 39 of the double gear 36. ed toslide into driving engagement with the gear 40 of the double gear 4ifixed to the shaft 37 while the gear 33 is arranged to engage the gear42 of the double gear 4|. By this arragement sliding the double gears29-30 on the shaft 23 to four selected positions, four difierent speedsof rotation are provided for the shaft 31.

Power take on from the shaft 37 is derived from the gear 39 whichconstantly drivesa gear 43 fixed to the shaft 44 journaled on suitable vbearings 45 in the feed box housing 25. Also Similarly, gear 32 isadaptfixed on the shaft 44 is a wide faced pinion 48 which is adapted tobe slidingly engaged by the gear 41 of the double gear 48 slidablymounted on the spline portion 49 of a shaft 58 journaled in suitablebearings I in the feed box housing 25. The double gear-'48 also has agear -52 which may be slid into engagement with the gear 43 fixed to theshaft 44. The gear 52 may also engage a gear 53 formed on the doublegear 54 which is fixed to the shaft 55 journaled in suitable hear"- ings56 in the feed box housing 25. Also formed on the double gear 54 is awide faced gear 51 which meshes with the gear 4] of the double'gear 48on the shaft 50. Thus between the shafts 44-5il-55 are 3 selectablegearratios provided comprising the gear 85 fixed on the shaft I2 7 drives anidler pinion 8'I journaled on a suitable bearing 88 on the shaft 89rigidly held in the knee I2. The idler 81 in turn drives the gear 951 Ijournaled against axial movement on a suitable bearing 9I around thecross feed screw 34. A clutch spool ,92 having clutch teeth 93 and 9-!-respectively engage the clutch teeth 5 and 95 of the gears 83Iand'9ilisoas to affect a reversal drive 7 of the screw 84 in 'one direction or theother or a through gears 46-41 and 52-53; and the drive" from gear 4352andi' gears 41-51. Thus 3 speed ratio changes :are effected between theshafts 44 and 55.

Further feed reduction drive is obtained. between the shalt 55 and theoutput shaft 58 :jourenaled in suitable bearings 59 in thei'feeds-boxhousing 25. This comprises a double, gear 80 journaled on the bearingportion 6 I of the shaft 5%], the double gear ta comprising a large'gear62 which is drivenfrom a pinion 63 fixed to the shaft 55. A smaller gear64 of the double gear 68 drives the large gear 550i the double gear 66journaled on the bearing portion Iilofithe shaft 55. The gear 68 formedon the double gear 66 drives a-gear 69 fixed on the shaft 583cc therebybring the finaldrive out fromthe feed box 25 to the shaft 58.

Power output from the shaft 58 of thefeedbox 25 is transmitted throughan overrunning' clutch in to the gear H which is fixed. on a shaftQ'IZjournaled in suitable bearings 13a, 14a. and a in the knee I2 of themilling machine, the gear Y'II being driven by the outsideugear 73 ofthe overrunning clutch I8. I

Rapid traverse drive power to the shaft .12 is derivedfrom a gear 14journaled onthe shaft I9 which is constantly in mesh with the, elongatedgear 15h suitably fixed to the shaft 12. The gear 74may be connected toor released from driving relationship on the shaft 59, ,by means of asuitable multiple disk clutch 1.6 which is actue ated by theusualshifter spool'l'lein a well known manner. Thus whenever the clutch161s engaged direct rapid driving power from the shaft, IQ-isimmediately transmitted tothe elongated gear 75 on the shaft 12 toaffectrapid-rotation of the shaft I2 while at the same time theoverrunning clutch allowsthe gear I3 to rotate more rapidly than theshaft 58 even though the-feed drive-is continuing at a much slower rate,to the shaft 58 from theshaft I9 As soon as the multiple disk rapidtraverse clutch 'IBis disengaged the ;f-eed driving power as describedimmediately picks up through the overrunningclutch 18 toapply the feeddrive to the shaft I2 through the gear ll as described. V

The knee I2 of the milling machine is -;recipro-;

cated in vertical movement at feedi'and rapid traverse rates by shiftingthe reversing clutch member I8 to engage either one or the other of thebevel pinionsfl9 and 80 Journaled on the shaft I2 as best seen in Figure6.,f Eachof'the bevel pinions I9 and88 are in constant. engagement withthe bevel gear 8I fixed to the elevating screw 82 to effectraisingandlowrihgo'f the knee of the-milling machine "in the well'kiiowhmanner.

neutralposition of non-drive to the screw 84.

Th'e cross fee'd'sciew 84 is connected through suitable hut mechanismnot shown to actuate the saddle in a well knownfjmanner. The aross feedscrew may also be rotated manually by means of a suitable hand wheel 9'!connected to the outer endof thev shaft 84.

The drive for actuating thework table Isis derived from the gear I5which drives a gear 98 fixed on the bevel pinion sleeve 99 journaled ina suitable bearing I08 carried in the downwardly extending bracket I8Iwhich in turn is supported on the swivel base I4 of the milling machine.Thepinion s1eeve99 has a bevel pinion I62 formed thereon which in turndrives a bevel gear I93 fixed to the vertical shaft I04 which in turnhas a bevel gear I05 in engagement with a pair of mating bevel gearssimilar to the gear 79 and 85 already discussed in connection with theknee elevating mechanism. A suitable clutch devic indicated at Iflficonnects the bevel pinion it? to apply the drive to the table feed screwIce in a well known manner. A suitable trip and control lever I89connected through suitable linkage mechanism at II8 through the leverIII pivotally mounted on the pin II2 fixed to the swivel base I4 andhaving the forkedends I fit serve to control the trip clutch forthefwork table I5 for a conventional manner.

The control of the rapid traverse to the knee, saddle'andtable isaffected by means of the control leverI'I4 mounted 'on a rock shaft IE5journaled in a suitable bearing H6 in the knee I2 of the millingmachine.The inner end of the rock shaft II5 has fixed to it a shifter yolk II!by means of the pin H8 and has end portions II?) which eng'a'gein theannular slot I20 of the clutch spool j TI; Moving the control leverupwardly from "position I'Ma to position I54?) causes the clutch 'i6 tobeengaged to apply the rapidtraversej drive power as described. Releaseof the lever from the position II4b allows it to return to the positionH401. to disconnect the rapid traverse driving power. The member to beactuated at rapidtraverse or at feed is determined by the respectivecontrol levers, control leve'rfIIis regulating the table movement, lever'I 2 I "controlling the cross feed or saddlemovement and lever I22controlling the vertical movements of the knee. Since the detailstructure of these control levers forms 'no part of this invention it issufil cient tostate that the control lever I2I through suitablemechanism operates the clutch 'spool92 described for connecting thedrive power from the shaft I2 to the cross feed screw 84 in onedirection or the other. Also the control lev'er I22 operates the clutchspool '18 for engaging either the bevel pinion 780i" 8!) as described toaffect the'stoppage of'onedi'rection,or the oth'erdrive jto theelevating screw'tz"fortheknee.'

Referring more particularly to Figures 4, and '1,lthe feed change gearbox 25 has a single lever control device comprising the lever or handleI 23 which is carried on an axially slidable and rockable shaft I24 forsimultaneously controlling the shiftable gears -30 and 48 of thefeed boxfor any desired selection of feed rate. The axially slidable androckable shaft I24-is supported in a suitable bearing I25 in the feedbox 25 and has fixed on its-inner end by a pin I26 the shifter spool I21having an annular *slot'l28 whichisengaged by a pin I29 carried in theshifter yolk I30 which is axially slidable on "the rod -I-3I rigidlysupported in the feed box 25 on suitable bearings I 32- and- I33 andheldin place thereinby means of the set screw I34. The shifter yolk-I30 hasaprojecting arm I301; having a forked endto'form'a slot I35 whichengages each of the side faces of the gear 41 of the double gear 48so-that axial movements of the handle I 23 and shaft I24 to thepositions I 23a, 'I23b,-and I230, shifts the gear 48 to its 3 selectablepositions.

Rocking motion of the control lever I23 and shaft I24 causes shifting ofthe gear29-33. Slidably mounted on the bearing surface I35 of the shaft524 is the cam drum I31 which is connected to be rotated by rocking ofthe shaft 424 through a suitable key I38 fixed to the shaft E24 butslidable in the key way I39 of the cam drum I31. The cam dr-um I31 isrestricted against axial movement but allowed freedom of rotary movementby confinement between the abutment face I40 of the abutment pin I41fixed in the feed V box housing 25 and the end I42 of the abutment pinI43 slidably mounted in a suitable bore I44 in'the feed box housing 25.A suitable adjustable s'e't'screw I45 carried in the threaded bore I45of'the feed box housing 25 serves to relatively position the surface I42of the pin I43 relative to the abutment surface I40 of the abutment pinI4I so as to provide a proper running fit of the sides I41 and I48 ofthe cam drum I31. Thus rockingmotion of'the control lever I23 aifectsrotation of the cam drum I31 while at the same time enabling the leverI23 to be moved in and out to shift the gear 48 as described.

Around the periphery of the cam drum I31 is formed a helical'cam slotI49 in which operates the pin I50 fixed in the outer end of the levera'rm I5I which is secured to the rock'shaft I52 supported in suitablebearings I53 and I54 in the. feed box'housing 25. The outer rearward endofthe'rock shaft I52 has a lever arm I55 secured thereto and extendingupwardly and ter minating in a boss carrying a shifter piece I55supported in a suitable journal bearing I51, the member I55 engaging inthe' annular groove I52 of the shiftable gear 29-30. Thus, when rockingmotion is impartedto the shaft I24 by twisting the control h'andle'123the helical cam slot I49 causes the lever I5I and the lever I 55 toshift the gear 29-30 to its respective four operative positions. 2

The in and out sliding movement of the shaft I24 is limited byengagement of the face I59 with the face I48 of the cam drum I31 and bythe face I50 of the spool I21 engaging the face I41 of the cam' dr-um I31. A suitable detentcomprising a spring pressed plunger I6I operatingin 'detent notches I62 formed in the shaft I3I providp s means forreadily positioning the shaft I24 in its three shiftabl-e positions. Thepositioning of the. control lever inrotaryposltions is accomplished bymeans of the segmental detent portion I63 formed integral with the leverI5I and having a series of four detent notches I64 which are engaged bythe spring urged detent I65 carried in the feed box housing 25.

Formed on the control handle I23 is an indicating pointerIBG whichcooperates with the U-s'haped index plate I61 which has a series of fourgroups of three numbers indicated at I68, I69, I10,- and "I, as bestshown in Figure 2. These four positions represent the four shiftablemovements for the gear 29-30. The three concentric groupings of figuresI12 represent the three in and out positions for the handle I23 and. thegear 48.

"Referring particularly to Figure 5, it is to be hoted that in thearrangement of the feed box gear train that there are never more thantwo gears combined in a'double gear assembly. The advantage of keepingthe gear construction limited to groups of two gears in a double geargreatly facilitates the accuracy of the heat treating operations andsubsequent gear finishing work. It is also to be noted that the gearsthat are combined in the double gear set-ups are maintained in morenearly the same diameter and in no case is the very large gear combinedclosely with the Very small gear in a double ear assembly. This furtherfacilitates the manufacture and heat treating of the gears and providesa more effective and rigid transmission.

It is to be further noted that in the gear arrangement shown for thecombined double gears 23-30 on the. shaft 23 that the largest gear 35 islocated one position from the end of the four gear assembly so as togive an absolute minimum of space required for a progressive gear shiftto four positions for the gear 29-30 and thereby reduce the overalllength of the shafts in the feed box transmission25 efiecting greaterrigidity and accuracy of performance of the gear transmission.

It is to be further noted in connection with the three position shiftinggear 48 on the shaft 50 that there is obtained the action of a doubleback gear drive through the gear shift position 43-41 and 52-53 in oneextreme position and a double speed up in the other position efiectedthrough the gearing 43-52 and 41-51 so as to aiford a very large ratioof speed change between the shafts 44 and 55. It is also to be noted inconnection with the gear 48' that in making any of the three changesthat only one gear engagement is required this being due to the widefaced gears 46 and 51 which always maintain at least one I, gearengagement while the other gear changes are being undertaken. This makesfor greater ease in shifting of the feed box transmission and a morerapid and easy selection of the desired feed rate by the operator.

Still another feature of the construction of the feed box transmissionis that all of the various bearings 24, 38, 45, 5|, 56 and 59 areidentical and the respective supporting bores in the feed box housing 25are also identical so as to facilitate the rapid and economicalmachining of all the bored holes in the housing 25 with the same set ofboring tools. This makes for greater accuracy of the center distancesbetween the various shafts and an improvementin the quietness andefficiency of operation of the various geared trains. 1 y It is to befurther noted that a maximum ratio 5 provided through the feed changegear box 25 (in thisexemplary disclosure 40 to 1) while at the same timethe difierence in ratio between any autism 9. 1 w a nt in aeqo i nvqlutepoiha m e tween eachand every gear in thefeed box transmission, thusprovid ngasmooth, quiet and steady iiow of power to the machine tool. I

o It is to be further noted that the entire, feed ranges areefiected bymoving only two sliding gears, namely the gearsQQ-Sil. and the gear-48from a ccmmonsinglelever control; I23 which may readily move; thegears-in, proper sequential order to any desired feedrate as, indicated.on the index dial I61. v

It is also to be notedthatthefeedor speedin crease for the transmissionis effected ,by, means of the controlhandle 123 which is ,pus'hedinandrotated to the rightand in normal manner for;ef fecting increases, and,whieh-ispulled; oystand rotated-toward the left asseen in-;r'! ll e$and! to decrease the feed orspeeclfrom thegtransmission. I'his greatlyfacilitates the quick and easy selection'of change in feed and speedeven with? out reference to specific values on thefeed or speed changeindicating dial 161.

'It should also he noted in view of theahove description thatinshiftingthe twogears29-30 and 48 that feed and speed changesareobtained without shifting through a fast gear to get down to a slowrotating gear and vice versa. This makes for easy shiftingandelimination of sub;

stantially all clash in making the various rates changes desired.

There has thus been provided an improved feed or speed changetransmission mechanism for a milling..machine. or other machine toolshaving certain specific structural improvements over all former devicesso as to provide a most eflic'ient transmission mechanism both from theoperative and manufacturing st'andpoints...

Having thus fully. described thisinven'tio'n and its numerous attendantadvantages, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the. form,construction and arrangement of the parts withoutdeparting from thespirit or, scope ,of the invention or sacrifice its attendantadvantages, the form herein described being 9, 13I'Gf8116dfi111b0'di1ment for purposes of exemplifing thisinvention.

The invention is claimedas follows:

1. In a change feed transmission for a. machine tool having a member.tobe actuated at variable feed and at a rapid traverserate, apowertrans? mission therefor comprising 'a rapid traverse and feed driveshaft directly connected to the input shaft of a change feedtransmission. an output shaft for said transmission, a seriesiof fourintermediate shaftsin said change'feed'transrnission, a four positionshiftable gear on the input shaft of said transmission, a double gear onsaid third intermediate shaft shlftable to a seriesof three positions, asingle lever control devicefor simultaneously shifting said gears ontheinput shaft and thirdshaft in a predetermined sequential ordertoeffectrat'e changes in said output shaftof said transmission, means, forconnecting said output shaft of said transmission. to the member to heactuated including anjover-v running clutchin'terconnectedbetween saidmem: her and said output shaft. and meansgfor connect'ing said'fee'd andrapid traverse. power shaft to the member to be. actuated including. a..-fric-. ti'cn disconnect. rapid traverse clutch, .anda con: trol' levermeans for engaging or disengaging Said rapid traverse clutch.

2 In a speed I change transmission for a. ma,- chine tool having aninput shaft, janputput shaft.

nd a plurali y of r. t rmediate. shaftssim v udinsy a. fi t; ntermediateshaft havinivtour dlnerent. size. gears fixed thereomafourposifitiil shitaoie gear driven; by said. input. shalt. and mounted thereon adapted toengage -.the gears onv saidv first intermediates-shaft, a pain .of.gears including a large gear. and-a. widefaced smaller gear fixed, onsaid second. intermediate,. shaft, means .101 driving said larger..gear. on saiclsee- 0nd intermediate shaftirom the; smallesteear fixedon said firstintermediateshaft, ai double gearfixedon. saidfourintermediate: shafthaving a larger gear and a. wide, faced smaller.gear-"8' double. gear having two narrow facedlarge and small gearsaxially slidable-on and'drivenzhy said thirdshait said larger; gearofsaid doublegear engaging the. wide .iaced gears. on: the; second andfourth intermediateishafts. while-.the smaller gear 0f-,-s aidd0ub1egear, on thethird shaft isladapted toselectively engagethelargergearsflxedion said second and fourth, intermediate. shafts, andmeansfor connecting the outputdrive from said fourth shaft to saidoutput .shaftnf said, trans,- mission.

3,. In aspeed change transmission for amachine tool having v an input,shaft, and; output shaft, and a plurality. ofi'our intermediate shafts.including a ,nrst intermediate shafthaving four din'erent sizegearsfixed thereon, a four, .position shiftable gear driven by saidinput shaft, and mounted thereon adapted to engage the gears on said.first intermediate shaft, av pair. of ,gears in.- cluding alargegearanda wide faced smaller gear fixeclon said second, intermediateshaft, means for drivingsaid larger gearcnsaidsecond inter,- mediateshaft from the smallest. gear; fixed'on said firstintermediate shaft, adouble ,gear fixed on said fourth intermediate shaft havinga largergearuand; a wide faced smaller. gear, avdoublev gear having twonarrowdfaced large. andsmall gears axially slidable. on and .drivenhy-saidlthird shaft, said larger gear of said doublegear ene gagingthewide faced gears onthesecond and fourth intermediate. shafts while thesmaller gear ofsaid double gear, on .the. third sha'ftis adapted toselectively engage theflargergears fixed onsaid. second and. fourthintermediate, shafts, and means for connecting theoutput drive from saidfourth shaft to said output shaft. of saidtransmission, said. lastmentioned ,;means including, a pinion fixed on said fourthshaft adaptedtodrive the larger gear-of a double gear .journaledon said thirdintermediate shaft, the .smallergearof said last mentioned doublegearjournalednnrsa'id third intermediate shaft driving the .larger .gearof a double gearjournaledon said fourth inter:- mediate shaft, thesmaller pinion of said. last mentioned double gear. journaledonsaidl'four'th intermediate shaft driving a. gearifixed to the out? putshaft-of said .feeditransmissions RICHARDLKILE BLOND. HARRY'C.

REFERENCES. CITED The following references are of recordfimthe

